Concentrations and Electives

In addition to the required core courses, students have nine electives (36 credit hours) they can use to take courses in a specific area of interest. These electives are typically used by students to select one or more concentrations in the area(s) that offer the knowledge, skills, and abilities that best fit the student’s educational needs and interests. Students with an undergraduate degree in a business subject area may have fewer required electives.

While many students choose to have a specific area of concentration, those who would like more flexibility in selecting courses may choose the general business concentration instead. With this option, the student is free to choose all of their elective courses from several different areas of study within the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

If a student does not indicate a specific concentration of interest in the application for admission the student will be assigned to the general business concentration.

Courses may be waived, i.e., excused without additional course work required, if the student has previously completed equivalent course work with a grade of C or better. Professional experience may not be considered in meeting academic requirements. The interpretation, evaluation and final decision of course waivers is the prerogative of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Course Requirements for the Day MBA (Full-time Accelerated) and Weekend MBA Programs

Concentrations and Electives

In addition to the required core courses, students have six electives (24 credit hours) they can use to take courses in a specific area of interest. These electives are typically used by students to select one or more concentrations in the area(s) that offer the knowledge, skills, and abilities that best fit the student’s educational needs and interests.

While many students choose to have a specific area of concentration, those who would like more flexibility in selecting courses may choose the general business concentration instead. With this option, the student is free to choose all of their elective courses from several different areas of study within the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

If a student does not indicate a specific concentration of interest in the application for admission the student will be assigned to the general business concentration.

Courses may be waived, i.e., excused without additional course work required, if the student has previously completed equivalent course work with a grade of C or better. Professional experience may not be considered in meeting academic requirements. The interpretation, evaluation and final decision of course waivers is the prerogative of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

M.B.A. Options Explained

Day M.B.A. (Full-time Accelerated)

The Day M.B.A. Program fulfills the business world’s demand for M.B.A. graduates with the ability to understand and manage complex business processes. Students who choose this program option will take all of their foundation and core classes in a full-time, lock step format during the first three terms of the program. Upon completion of the prerequisite core courses, students may begin taking their concentration classes at their own pace. Students in the Day M.B.A. Program may choose to specialize in any of the generally available MBA concentrations offered by the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Admitted students will proceed through the program as a cohort group. Admission to the program is for fall quarter only.

Evening M.B.A. (All Campuses)

All of the core course requirements for the M.B.A. are offered at the Loop, Naperville and O'Hare suburban campuses. All requirements are offered at least once each year at each of these locations.

Three full concentrations are available at each of the suburban campuses. These are Finance, Marketing Management and General Business. Operations Management is available to all students at the O'Hare Campus as part of the weekend schedule. Weekend MBA concentration electives at O'Hare Campus are open to all MBA students. Electives applicable to other concentrations will be offered variably at the suburban locations but it may be necessary to travel to Loop campus to complete concentrations other than these four.

Weekend M.B.A. at O'Hare Campus

The Weekend M.B.A. Program is a rigorous yet rewarding program designed for the self-directed manager with an interest in using technology to supplement traditional M.B.A. course work. The curriculum provides knowledge in each of the major business functions along with specialized courses in Management and Finance such that students may earn concentrations in Finance and/or Operations Management as part of the weekend program. Upon completion of the required core sequence of courses, students are able to select concentration courses from among the more than 35 concentrations available to part-time M.B.A. students. Please note that only the Finance and Operations Management concentrations are available in the weekend format.

Each course is taught as a blend of traditional lecture and distance learning formats. Classes meet on alternate Saturdays at the O'Hare Campus. Students will work via distance learning in the weeks between class meetings. Admitted students will proceed through the program as a cohort group. Admission to the program is for fall quarter only.